Quick plug disconnect



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 30, 1956 om, G D MIS ZY Mm MRE I E LA AA NM W n M U AR vf f .MA ,I .e 5.@1@ um 2.. 2 6@ ral. y u k 2 i May 31, 1960 A. AGRON ET AL 2,939,103

QUICK PLUG DrscoNNEcT Filed July so, 195e s sheets-sheet 2 ALBERT AGRO/VJ ROBERT A. CUF FR ller May 31, 1960 AyAGRoN ETAL QUICK PLUG DISCONNECT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 30, 1956 ALBERT AGRON 8 ROBERT A. CLIFFORD INVENTOR.

HUEBNER,BEEHLER,

WORREL .8 HERZ/G,

ATTORNEYS.

QUICK PLUG DISCONNECT Albert Agron, 5600 Spreading ak Drive, Los Angeles, Calif., and Robert A. Clifford, 1123 W. Puente Ave., West Covina, Calif.

Filed July 30, 1956, Ser. No. 600,884

2 Claims. (Cl. 339-75) This invention relates to an electrical plug and receptacle connecting and disconnecting mechanism and particularly to such a mechanism for clamping the plug and receptacle securely in operative relationship with respect to each other and in a manner wherein the plug and receptacle may be quickly disconnected from each other.

This is a continuation-in-part of our application Serial No. 518,272, led June 27, 1955, now abandoned.

Electrical plug and receptacle connections present a problem in that it is necessary that the connection between the plug and receptacle to secure and safe and free from any danger of short circuiting. At the same time, it is desirable that the plug and receptacle connection, in certain applications, such as in ordnance Work, be capable of being rapidly made and broken. In certain plug and receptacle connections, a secure connection is achieved by screwing the plug and receptacle together. However, in such types of connections, an apipreciable amount of time is consumed in threading one of the members into the other. Also, in such connections, an objectionable amount of time is required to unthread one member from the other, especially in emergency situations and in ordnance work where it is absolutely necessary to produce a rapid disconnection of the plug and receptacle. On the other hand, in certain plug and receptacle connections not employing threading connection between the members, the members are not securely joined to each other and there is danger of open circuiting.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide a positive rapid and convenient connecting and disconnecting mechanism for plug and receptacle connections.

Another object is to provide a plug and receptacle connecting and disconnecting mechanism, wherein a tight seal is achieved between the plug and receptacle and the connection is capable of being quickly and safely broken.

A further object is to provide a rapid connecting and disconnecting plug and receptacle arrangement, wherein' there is a minimum of danger of short circuiting.

Additional objects will become apparent from the following description:

Stated in general terms, the present invention comprehends the provision of an electrical plug and receptacle connecting and disconnecting mechanism including a housing and alignment means for orienting the plug and receptacle in operative engagement relationship with each other. A clamping means is included for securely holding the plug and receptacle in operative engagement relationship. 'Ihe clamping means is adapted for rapid release of the clamped plug from the receptacle and preferably is pivotally mounted. Also, the clamping means preferably is adapted for connection in pairs, or other multiples, to make it convenient to release two, or more, plugs simultaneously.

A more detailed description of a specific embodiment States Patent O of the invention is given with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view partially in section showing two plugs and receptacles clamped in engagement relationship with each other respectively;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view taken on line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a partial view in sectional elevation to a somewhat enlarged scale showing details of a roller on a plug adapter and of a pivotal mounting of a clamping and release mechanism;

Figure 4 is a plan View of the apparatus shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is an end view showing the clamping means pivoted to release the plugs from the receptacles; and

Figure 7 is a side elevational view partially in section showing a cap mounted in the housing.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, one plug and receptacle of the two pairs of plugs and receptacles shown will be described first. The female receptacle 1i), shown in partial sectional elevation in Figure l, is connected to a split lock ring 11. The split lock ring 11 consists of t-wo identical semi-circumferential halves tightly held together by socket head screws 12 (Figure 2). The

.screws 12 also serve to clamp the locking ring 11 tightly around the flanged end of the female receptacle 10. The

lock lring 11 is provided with an internal ange 13 (Figure 3) adapted to receive therein the ilanged end of the female receptacle 10.

Lock ring 11 is in turn tightly mounted within the rear end of a housing 14 by a series of spaced screws 16 threaded into the'wall of the lock ring through the wall ofA the housing. It will be seen that the female receptacle 10 is tightly connected to the rear end of the housing 14, as by the clamping screws 12 in lock ring 11, which then becomes an integral part of the housing 14.

The housing 14 is of generally cylindrical shape with a flared portion 17 on the front end thereof. Two slots 18 are formed longitudinally on opposite walls of the housing 14 and are made to extend through the cylindrical portion of the housing and through part of the ared portion 17 of the housing. A third slot 19 (Figure 5) spaced approximately midway between the two slots 18 extends longitudinally through most of the cylindrical portion of the housing and through a part of the ared portion 17.

A male plug 21, shown in phantom, is threaded at its front end into an internally threaded plug adapter 22. The plug adapter 22 is provided with two coaxial rollers 23 mounted on externally grooved axles 24 by means of retaining rings 26. The rollers 23 slide through slots 18 when plug 21 is inserted into housing 14 through the tlared opening 17. A guide projection 27 is integral with the wall of plug adapter 22 about midway between the axis of rollers 23. The projection 27 is positioned on plug adapter 22 so that it will slide through slot 19 and orient plug 21 with respect to receptacle 10 when the plug is inserted to the housing 14 for operative engagement with the receptacle.

Two stud screws 28, positioned coaxially with respect to each other and in the same plane as the axis of axles 24, are threaded into lock ring 11 to pivotally mount a clamping means in the form of a cam locking lever 29 on housing 14. Cam locking lever 29 is bifurcated and is provided with an inwardly extending handle 31, by means of which it is pivoted about the axis of studs 28. The cam locking lever is provided with two earn portions 32 adapted to engage rollers 23 as the cam locking leven Patented May 31, 1960Y A 3 t i is urged, by means of handle 31, around the axis of studs 28'into locking position.

As the cam locking lever`is progressively urged into locking position, the cam portionsr3t2 progressively urge, plug'adapter 22 and plug' 21 toward the receptacl'e10. Just beforevcam lockingv lever. 29 isY completely pivoted with connecting arch 33 in engagementA with. housing I4, the rollers 23 Vare tightly engagedby alatching undercutportion 34, asbest shown in Figures Zand. 6'. This action securely retains plug 21 in'locked, operative en. gagement with receptacle 10. V

TheV plug 21 is provided at the end thereof withV an outer cylindrical portion 36 (Fig. l.) which telescopes around a similar outer cylindrical portion 37 provided at .the end of the receptacle 10 and having a somewhat smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of cylindrical portion 36, As. the plug 21 andthe receptacle' 10 are urged together in locked relationship, the lip of cylindrical portion 3 6 of .the plug .is urged tightly against a resilient gasket 38. (see alsorFig. 3) positioned around the receptacle 16 and supported against a anged portion 39 in Figure 3 ofthe receptacle 10. The plug 21 is provided with a disc-shaped gasket 41 supported against the front'wall of the plug as shown.y The gasket 41 is perforated to permit pins 42 to protrudetherethrough and to extend into sockets in receptacle 10 to establish electrical connection between theengaged plug and receptacle.

lnvthe locked position of cam locking lever 29, the cylindrical portion 37 of Vreceptacle 10 is tightly pressed at its lipragainst the exposed surface of gasket 41 adjacent 'essence 29 is actuated at points 31, and 49, or optionally only Vat poit 31 by handle 51 and pivoted in a direction away from connecting link 47, as shown in Figure 1. During this pivotal action, a second cam portion 73 of the cam locking lever 29 engages the rollers 23 and urges plug adapter 22 away from and ont of engagement with receptacle adapter 11. To accomplish this disengagement,

. pins 42 mustbe rapidly withdrawn from frictional contact in their sockets in receptacle 10. A relatively large frictional force must be Arapidlyand certainly overcomeA Avirtue ofthe fact that the slots 18 and 19 extendinto its periphery. lt will be seen that awater-tight seal and a secure electrical connection are made between the plug 21 and the receptacle 10 when locking lever 29 is rotated into contact witlrhousing 14 against the resilience ofthe gaskets 38 and 41 and by Vvirtue of the lockingaction of the latching undercut34.

Two plug 21 and receptacle 10 assemblies are shown, in the specific embodiment of the drawings, mounted in spaced relationship on a panel 43 above a gasket 44'by screws 46. The two plug and receptacle assemblies are shown'to have similar dimensions and structural features but itwill be understood that the-two 4assemblies can be diierent in size or construction from each other. The plugs 21 of the two assemblies are connected yby a-'connecting link 47 shown in phantom. The link- 47 rigidly maintains the plugs in spaced relationship. It is detachably mounted on the plugs by screws 48 (Fig. 4).

The inwardly extending handle 31 of one assemblyand a' similar handle 49 of the adjacent assembly, are connected to a pivotally mounted control handle 51. The connection is made by two at bars 52 and 53 attached at adjacent ends to handle 31 by a bolt 54 and a nut 56, and at their mid-portions to handle 51 by a bolt 57' and wing nut S8. The bolt 57 passes through a downwardly extending, curved slot 59 cut through handle 51.

The double bar assembly 52 and 53 may be released and pivoted downward by releasing Wing nut 5S-as shown in phantom drawing in Figure 1. In this case handle 51 will only operate on the inwardly extending handle 31 of the corresponding plug and receptacle assembly.V This gives the user option of operating one or both plugs 21 and receptacles 10 as the need may arise.

Handle 51 is pivotally mounted at its lower end on a clevis 61 by a bolt 62 passing through a bearing 63. A nut 64 and washer 66 retain the bolt in position. The clevis 61 is attached to a base plate 67, asindicated, which in turn is fastened to panel 43 byscrews 68. Por convenience and comfort in grasping and pivoting handle 51, anupper portion thereof is provided with a molded rubber grip 69. The grip preferably is knurled and provided with enlarged portions 71 and 72 at the respective ends thereof to provide a more certain andsecure gripping section.

, When it is desired to quickly disconnect pulgs or plug 21 from receptacles or receptacle 10, the cam locking lever and'through the dared portion 17 of the housing.

` When .it is desired to reconnect receptacles 10 and plugs 21, the operations just described are reversed. Namely, the .plugs are urged into the housings 14 by sliding rollers 23 through slots 18 and projections 27 through slots 19'..

In'this manner, the pins 42 in plugs 21 are automatically aligned withthe sockets in receptacles 10 so thatelectrical contact is always assured without the danger of short circuiting. The frictional force between the pins 42 and their sockets is readily overcome. by the mechanical advantage gained through the leverage .resulting in using handle 51 and the cam action of surfaces 32 and 73 when making and breaking contact. This is. an advantage over grasping the handles. 31.or 49'and manually operatingV each plug and receptacle individually with the force applied to locking lever 29 directly from ones fingers. A strain is placed on the ngers in overcoming the frictional forces acting on the pins 42r and the rollers 23 seated in undercut portions 34.

The :dared portion 17 of the housing is made of an outside diameter suciently large Yso that there is no, danger of the lip of the ared portion coming in contact with the tips of any of the pins 42, especially the outside row thereof, and thus causing short circuits. lf the diameter of the outer lip of flared portion `17 of the housing isV made too small, the lip of Ythe dared portion will dip from receptacles 10, a cap consisting of -a plugadapter` 22,. as described above, and a cap'75 of the type shown in `our'co-pending application, Serial No. 518,272, instead of a,plug,21, is inserted in housing 14 so that rollers 23 Yslide through slotsk 18 and'screw 27 slides throughslot and female receptacle.

19, as previously described. The cap is locked into position in engagement with receptacle 10 by means of cam locking lever 29, also as previously described. Similarly, the cap is disengaged from receptacle 10 by rotating cam lockinglever 29 in a clockwise direction usinghandle 51 as previously described. The cap is attached to one end of a chain 74 having the other end thereof connected` to a receptacle. Two chain sections may be joinedrtogether for increased length by a chain joining link 76.

It will be observed that the embodiment of the socket andreceptacle connecting and disconnecting mechanism described above is adapted for rapid engagement and disengagement and'for secure engagement of the male plug The embodiment shown also is provided withV safety features, aspointed out above, to keep contact pins from short circuiting Von Yparts and surfaces of the mechanism, Yto keep water and Amoisture from getting into the electrical contact parts ofthe mechanism, and to assure against incorrect and incomplete contactingof these parts. The embodiment described Valso contains a double cam latchingY mechanism which'lat'ches the plug and receptacle together when the handle of the latching mechanism is urged against the housing of the mechanism and forces them apart when the handle of the latching mechanism is pivoted away from the housing of the assembly.

The foregoing description, given in connection with a particular embodiment of the mechanism is, of course, given primarily to illustrate that particular embodiment of the invention. It is understood that many variations, changes or modiiications in structure, design, and details of the illustrated mechanism Will occur to one skilled in the art, and that the invention can be applied to a variety of plugs and receptacles other than the ordnance plug and receptacle illustrated. Accordingly, it is understood that such applications of the invention and such variations, changes or modiiications in the structure, design, and details of the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated and described above may be made Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of invention.

Accordingly, while We have herein shown and described our invention in what We have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of our invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structure or construction.

What is claimed is:

l. An electrical plug and receptacle mechanism comprising; a generally cylindrical housing, a receptacle in one end of said housing, longitudinal slots in said housing, a plug having an end portion engageable in said receptacle and having lateral projections slidable in said slots and of a length to project therethrough and outside said housing, and a clamping member pivoted to said housing on a transverse pivot axis and having cam portions adjacent said axis selectively engageable with said projections outside said housing to clamp said plug in said receptacle, 5 said housing being provided with an outwardly ilared open end portion at the end opposite said receptacle, said slots extending through only the inner portion of said ared end whereby the outer portion thereof delines a circumferentially continuous edge.

2. An electrical plug and receptacle mechanism comprising; a generally cylindrical housing, a receptacle in one end of said housing, longitudinal slots in said housing, a plug having an end portion engageable in said receptacle and having lateral projections slidable in said slots and of a length to project therethrough and outside said housing, and a clamping member pivoted to said housing on a transverse pivot axis and having cam portions adjacent said aXis selectively engageable with said projections outside said housing to clamp said plug in said receptacle, a cam portion of said clamping member being provided with a depression in its cam surface en gageable with a projection to lock said plug in said socket and resilient means for forcing said projection into said depression.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Sept. 27, 1950 

